I have a confession to make: I consciously and blatantly break the law on a daily basis. Every morning, I kiss my wife and children goodbye, and ride my bicycle slowly along a 5-kilometre stretch of protected bikeway to my office, where I work as a Residential Designer. It is a simple act. One that should be encouraged and celebrated, as it is in 99% of the world’s great cities. But rather, because I choose to do this without a piece of Styrofoam on my head, I am labeled a criminal, and face being charged by the Vancouver Police Department under Section 184 of the Motor Vehicle Act (as I have twice). This despite the fact I am not riding a Motor Vehicle, that I feel perfectly safe riding the city’s plentiful bike lanes, that I am statistically safer than a pedestrian crossing the street or even a driver sitting into a car, and that my choice of transport is far more economically and environmentally beneficial to the city.
When British Columbia first passed its adult bicycle helmet law in 1995, it was widely accepted as a sensible initiative to promote and increase road safety. The City of Vancouver followed suit shortly thereafter, passing a by-law that made it illegal to ride on city paths and seawalls without a helmet, under punishment of a $100 fine. Now, seventeen years later, it is undeniable these laws have not resulted in any of the benefits that were promised. They have not saved lives. They have not reduced healthcare costs. They have not increased road safety. It is therefore not surprising that only a handful of jurisdictions (BC followed Australia and New Zealand; the Maritime provinces followed us; then nothing) have since instituted such laws, while the rest of the world has recognized them for what they are: a complete disaster.
The most significant impact of criminalizing cycling without a helmet is the simple fact that the majority of people won’t bother. In particular, short, slow, utilitarian pedestrian-like bicycle trips to the grocery store or restaurant become a rarity. In a province facing the growing healthcare costs of 1.5 million obese or overweight people, this is of grave concern: especially when it is abundantly clear that the health benefits of cycling far outweigh the risks. Almost every study on the impact of mandatory helmet laws show a 30%-50% decrease in cycling rates, and up to 80% in some demographic groups, such as young females. The cost of this inactivity to society, in both lives and dollars, is monumental. It has been estimated that New Zealand’s helmet law contributes to 53 premature deaths per year, while Australia’s costs the taxpayer around $301-million in healthcare expenses annually.
Bike-share systems are another area where mandatory helmet laws become extremely problematic. Since the Vélib’ launched in Paris five years ago, the City of Vancouver has been studying the idea of a bike-share of our own. The lengthy delay has been down to one factor: how do you force people to wear helmets for a spontaneous, short trip on a shared bicycle? Meanwhile, over 300 cities around the world have passed us by, including such cycling hotbeds as Omaha, Houston, and Kansas City. Only three have attempted to do so under a helmet law: Melbourne, Brisbane, and Auckland, all of which were colossal failures. Vancouver tentatively plans to launch a system in spring of 2013, which will be significantly smaller than its Montreal and Toronto counterparts, and (laughably) includes helmet-dispensing and sanitizing machines. All of this notwithstanding the fact bike-share programs have proven to be incredibly safe; London, with far fewer traffic-calmed streets than Vancouver, hasn’t experienced a single serious injury after 4.5 million trips.
Unfortunately, neither the BC Liberals nor the NDP want to revisit this law, which also remains popular amongst the motoring majority: drivers who are freely allowed to smoke, drink, and eat as much fast food as they want, with no thought of the healthcare costs they impose. Even more disappointing has been the lack of leadership from Vancouver City Council, with Mayor Robertson and Councilor Deal both calling the law “appropriate”, and insisting the long-delayed bike-share program will proceed without any exemption.
However, there is a small but growing number of local activists who are speaking out against the law, calling themselves “The Church of Sit-Up Cycling” (in reference to one exemption from the BC helmet law: “conflict with an essential religious practice”) and launching a call to action: http://www.helmetchoice.ca. I stand proudly with the “Church”: the adult helmet law is a direct contradiction to our city’s goal of becoming the “World’s Greenest” in eight short years. It’s time to abandon the idea of helmet regulation, and try something new: increasing cycling safety through numbers and infrastructure, as they do in Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Tokyo, Montreal, and New York City. Then, and only then, will the bicycle stand a chance of becoming a viable and widely accepted mode of transportation in Vancouver. I, for one, can’t wait.
All photos and words by Chris Bruntlett, unless otherwise noted.
Showing posts with label guest photo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label guest photo. Show all posts
3.03.2015
Chris Bruntlett Is a Criminal, according to Vancouver's Mandatory Helmet Law
Chris Bruntlett, blogger, writer, bike advocate from Vancouver, B.C. has some insight regarding the effectiveness of a mandatory helmet law for cyclists, as is currently proposed in California. We can learn from the failure of this law in Vancouver. This article first appeared in Hush Magazine on August 7, 2012. Please note: statistics cited may be outdated.
Take it away, Chris.
“When it comes to the big helmet debate, I believe in choice. Much like many other things in life, such as; smoking, drinking, eating fast food, and having unprotected sex. All of which affect our health care system far more than riding your bike around the seawall without a hideous mushroom cap on your dome. Are we going to make it the law to wear a condom or give out tickets to fat people? I am not opposed to wearing helmets, especially for children, and if one often takes long rides in traffic or along the highway, but for a leisurely ride around Vancouver? I choose to not wear one, and I think people should decide what’s right for them, like most places around the world.” -Mimi Lauzon, Bicycle Babes
I have a confession to make: I consciously and blatantly break the law on a daily basis. Every morning, I kiss my wife and children goodbye, and ride my bicycle slowly along a 5-kilometre stretch of protected bikeway to my office, where I work as a Residential Designer. It is a simple act. One that should be encouraged and celebrated, as it is in 99% of the world’s great cities. But rather, because I choose to do this without a piece of Styrofoam on my head, I am labeled a criminal, and face being charged by the Vancouver Police Department under Section 184 of the Motor Vehicle Act (as I have twice). This despite the fact I am not riding a Motor Vehicle, that I feel perfectly safe riding the city’s plentiful bike lanes, that I am statistically safer than a pedestrian crossing the street or even a driver sitting into a car, and that my choice of transport is far more economically and environmentally beneficial to the city.
When British Columbia first passed its adult bicycle helmet law in 1995, it was widely accepted as a sensible initiative to promote and increase road safety. The City of Vancouver followed suit shortly thereafter, passing a by-law that made it illegal to ride on city paths and seawalls without a helmet, under punishment of a $100 fine. Now, seventeen years later, it is undeniable these laws have not resulted in any of the benefits that were promised. They have not saved lives. They have not reduced healthcare costs. They have not increased road safety. It is therefore not surprising that only a handful of jurisdictions (BC followed Australia and New Zealand; the Maritime provinces followed us; then nothing) have since instituted such laws, while the rest of the world has recognized them for what they are: a complete disaster.
The most significant impact of criminalizing cycling without a helmet is the simple fact that the majority of people won’t bother. In particular, short, slow, utilitarian pedestrian-like bicycle trips to the grocery store or restaurant become a rarity. In a province facing the growing healthcare costs of 1.5 million obese or overweight people, this is of grave concern: especially when it is abundantly clear that the health benefits of cycling far outweigh the risks. Almost every study on the impact of mandatory helmet laws show a 30%-50% decrease in cycling rates, and up to 80% in some demographic groups, such as young females. The cost of this inactivity to society, in both lives and dollars, is monumental. It has been estimated that New Zealand’s helmet law contributes to 53 premature deaths per year, while Australia’s costs the taxpayer around $301-million in healthcare expenses annually.
Bike-share systems are another area where mandatory helmet laws become extremely problematic. Since the Vélib’ launched in Paris five years ago, the City of Vancouver has been studying the idea of a bike-share of our own. The lengthy delay has been down to one factor: how do you force people to wear helmets for a spontaneous, short trip on a shared bicycle? Meanwhile, over 300 cities around the world have passed us by, including such cycling hotbeds as Omaha, Houston, and Kansas City. Only three have attempted to do so under a helmet law: Melbourne, Brisbane, and Auckland, all of which were colossal failures. Vancouver tentatively plans to launch a system in spring of 2013, which will be significantly smaller than its Montreal and Toronto counterparts, and (laughably) includes helmet-dispensing and sanitizing machines. All of this notwithstanding the fact bike-share programs have proven to be incredibly safe; London, with far fewer traffic-calmed streets than Vancouver, hasn’t experienced a single serious injury after 4.5 million trips.
Unfortunately, neither the BC Liberals nor the NDP want to revisit this law, which also remains popular amongst the motoring majority: drivers who are freely allowed to smoke, drink, and eat as much fast food as they want, with no thought of the healthcare costs they impose. Even more disappointing has been the lack of leadership from Vancouver City Council, with Mayor Robertson and Councilor Deal both calling the law “appropriate”, and insisting the long-delayed bike-share program will proceed without any exemption.
However, there is a small but growing number of local activists who are speaking out against the law, calling themselves “The Church of Sit-Up Cycling” (in reference to one exemption from the BC helmet law: “conflict with an essential religious practice”) and launching a call to action: http://www.helmetchoice.ca. I stand proudly with the “Church”: the adult helmet law is a direct contradiction to our city’s goal of becoming the “World’s Greenest” in eight short years. It’s time to abandon the idea of helmet regulation, and try something new: increasing cycling safety through numbers and infrastructure, as they do in Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Tokyo, Montreal, and New York City. Then, and only then, will the bicycle stand a chance of becoming a viable and widely accepted mode of transportation in Vancouver. I, for one, can’t wait.
All photos and words by Chris Bruntlett, unless otherwise noted.
I have a confession to make: I consciously and blatantly break the law on a daily basis. Every morning, I kiss my wife and children goodbye, and ride my bicycle slowly along a 5-kilometre stretch of protected bikeway to my office, where I work as a Residential Designer. It is a simple act. One that should be encouraged and celebrated, as it is in 99% of the world’s great cities. But rather, because I choose to do this without a piece of Styrofoam on my head, I am labeled a criminal, and face being charged by the Vancouver Police Department under Section 184 of the Motor Vehicle Act (as I have twice). This despite the fact I am not riding a Motor Vehicle, that I feel perfectly safe riding the city’s plentiful bike lanes, that I am statistically safer than a pedestrian crossing the street or even a driver sitting into a car, and that my choice of transport is far more economically and environmentally beneficial to the city.
When British Columbia first passed its adult bicycle helmet law in 1995, it was widely accepted as a sensible initiative to promote and increase road safety. The City of Vancouver followed suit shortly thereafter, passing a by-law that made it illegal to ride on city paths and seawalls without a helmet, under punishment of a $100 fine. Now, seventeen years later, it is undeniable these laws have not resulted in any of the benefits that were promised. They have not saved lives. They have not reduced healthcare costs. They have not increased road safety. It is therefore not surprising that only a handful of jurisdictions (BC followed Australia and New Zealand; the Maritime provinces followed us; then nothing) have since instituted such laws, while the rest of the world has recognized them for what they are: a complete disaster.
The most significant impact of criminalizing cycling without a helmet is the simple fact that the majority of people won’t bother. In particular, short, slow, utilitarian pedestrian-like bicycle trips to the grocery store or restaurant become a rarity. In a province facing the growing healthcare costs of 1.5 million obese or overweight people, this is of grave concern: especially when it is abundantly clear that the health benefits of cycling far outweigh the risks. Almost every study on the impact of mandatory helmet laws show a 30%-50% decrease in cycling rates, and up to 80% in some demographic groups, such as young females. The cost of this inactivity to society, in both lives and dollars, is monumental. It has been estimated that New Zealand’s helmet law contributes to 53 premature deaths per year, while Australia’s costs the taxpayer around $301-million in healthcare expenses annually.
Bike-share systems are another area where mandatory helmet laws become extremely problematic. Since the Vélib’ launched in Paris five years ago, the City of Vancouver has been studying the idea of a bike-share of our own. The lengthy delay has been down to one factor: how do you force people to wear helmets for a spontaneous, short trip on a shared bicycle? Meanwhile, over 300 cities around the world have passed us by, including such cycling hotbeds as Omaha, Houston, and Kansas City. Only three have attempted to do so under a helmet law: Melbourne, Brisbane, and Auckland, all of which were colossal failures. Vancouver tentatively plans to launch a system in spring of 2013, which will be significantly smaller than its Montreal and Toronto counterparts, and (laughably) includes helmet-dispensing and sanitizing machines. All of this notwithstanding the fact bike-share programs have proven to be incredibly safe; London, with far fewer traffic-calmed streets than Vancouver, hasn’t experienced a single serious injury after 4.5 million trips.
Unfortunately, neither the BC Liberals nor the NDP want to revisit this law, which also remains popular amongst the motoring majority: drivers who are freely allowed to smoke, drink, and eat as much fast food as they want, with no thought of the healthcare costs they impose. Even more disappointing has been the lack of leadership from Vancouver City Council, with Mayor Robertson and Councilor Deal both calling the law “appropriate”, and insisting the long-delayed bike-share program will proceed without any exemption.
However, there is a small but growing number of local activists who are speaking out against the law, calling themselves “The Church of Sit-Up Cycling” (in reference to one exemption from the BC helmet law: “conflict with an essential religious practice”) and launching a call to action: http://www.helmetchoice.ca. I stand proudly with the “Church”: the adult helmet law is a direct contradiction to our city’s goal of becoming the “World’s Greenest” in eight short years. It’s time to abandon the idea of helmet regulation, and try something new: increasing cycling safety through numbers and infrastructure, as they do in Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Tokyo, Montreal, and New York City. Then, and only then, will the bicycle stand a chance of becoming a viable and widely accepted mode of transportation in Vancouver. I, for one, can’t wait.
All photos and words by Chris Bruntlett, unless otherwise noted.
12.17.2012
Bike Shoes on BART - Guest Photo from Laura Lukitsch
My bike/filmmaker friend Laura Lukitsch sent me this photo this weekend.
Saw this woman biker (well her shoes, not her too much) on Bart the other day. Thought you might want to post it on the blog.
Send us your bike street fashion pics or share them with us on our flickr photo pool.
5.21.2012
Festa de Bike!
Here's a guest post from our cicloactivista bike buddies in São Paulo, Brazil. As some of you might remember, I had a great time meeting the bike community in SP, and riding around town with Renata Falzoni and Felipe Aragonez. Needless to say, São Paulo has a special place in my heart, and I hope that I can join them for their Bike Party in the very near future (how much is airfare SF to SP?). Words by Icaro de Abreu and photos by Carlos Alkmin and Daniel Spinelli.
Bike Party São Paulo is an event inspired in the São Francisco edition, with lights, djs and a lot of music during and in the end of the ride.
The only mission is to spread the idea of use bike in the cities, but not with a hard speech. We do believe that this way is much more attractive and easy for people to understand the reason to use a bike as their main form of transportation.
On the other hand, we do make a lot of noise, riding through the streets, but in a group, people just want have fun. lol
I abandoned my car five years ago here in São Paulo. Everyday is more than 140 km at traffic jams. São Paulo is a chaos and something has to be done.
We are doing the bike rides, occupying the public space (its not a common thing here in São Paulo), inviting friends on facebook every last Saturday and the participants are increasing more and more, each edition. The last one for example were more than 60 people.
We will continue with Bike Parties and hope that São Paulo becomes a better city and, who knows, inspires others to do the same.
Editor's note: If you're lucky enough to be in São Paulo this Saturday, be sure to join in the fun. The theme is Namorados.
Join this Saturday's Bike Party!
On the other hand, we do make a lot of noise, riding through the streets, but in a group, people just want have fun. lol
We are doing the bike rides, occupying the public space (its not a common thing here in São Paulo), inviting friends on facebook every last Saturday and the participants are increasing more and more, each edition. The last one for example were more than 60 people.
Join this Saturday's Bike Party!
4.19.2012
Jenny from Switzerland - Guest Photo by Sultan Mirza
Jenny from Switzerland says "I love biking uphill in SF!"
Atta girl, Jenny!
3.26.2012
.hot
a guest post from .nobi my friend in paris...
"its safe to say it's spring in paris after a couple of days with weather hitting the 20s [celsius]...was on way to buy an evening baguette from my favorite boulangerie (she's so patient with my bad french) after having a coffee with a friend in the république district...seems i wasn't the only one biking..."
Check out his photo website here: .nobi.
Follow .nobi's instagram feed and follow this vagabond photographer on his world travels.
"its safe to say it's spring in paris after a couple of days with weather hitting the 20s [celsius]...was on way to buy an evening baguette from my favorite boulangerie (she's so patient with my bad french) after having a coffee with a friend in the république district...seems i wasn't the only one biking..."
Check out his photo website here: .nobi.
Follow .nobi's instagram feed and follow this vagabond photographer on his world travels.
9.09.2011
next gen voguette
This just in from my friend Andrea in San Diego - her adorable daughter Capri.
Capri is over the moon about her new bike!! Blue bike for my pink girl. Note the skirt with lace cuffed leggings-- pink please.
Capri is over the moon about her new bike!! Blue bike for my pink girl. Note the skirt with lace cuffed leggings-- pink please.
8.02.2011
Guest Photo: Alicia Oblander
All words and images by Alicia Oblander, a girl on a bike here in San Francisco who has a great photo blog, so check it out.
This is just a fun little side project my boyfriend and I are working on, kinda explains more on my blog. But we're planning to shoot lots of girls and lots of bikes and make a coffee table book of portraits.
I'm just trying to get these pictures out in the world and raise awareness of girls and bikes.
Our first shoot back in April which was in Bernal Heights and around Valencia Street.
This is just a fun little side project my boyfriend and I are working on, kinda explains more on my blog. But we're planning to shoot lots of girls and lots of bikes and make a coffee table book of portraits.
I'm just trying to get these pictures out in the world and raise awareness of girls and bikes.
Our first shoot back in April which was in Bernal Heights and around Valencia Street.
7.11.2011
Bike Wardrobe Remix: Lady Vélo
It's been a while since we've posted a Bike Wardrobe Remix, due to Ramona's thesis project keeping her swamped, so I thought I'd bring it back with these three great looks from Lady Vélo of London - another fabulous woman on a bike!
Behind the Scenes: Photoshoot with Horst A. Friedrichs
Bike Wardrobe Remix Details:
Sunglasses: Tatty Devine for John Lewis
LadyVélo Name Necklace: Tatty Devine
50's Dress: LaFrock Boutique
Ring: Dorothy Perkins
Mary Jane Heels: Vivienne Westwood
Necklace: Tatty Devine
Vest Top: Topshop
Bracelet: Camden Market
Ring: Tatty Devine
High Waisted Floral Shorts: TopShop
Sandals: TopShop
Sunglasses: Ray Ban
Pink Breton Stripe Top: Warehouse
Brooch: Tatty Devine
Jeans: Diesel
Sandals: TopShop
Ring: Mawi
Behind the Scenes: Photoshoot with Horst A. Friedrichs
Bike Wardrobe Remix Details:
Sunglasses: Tatty Devine for John Lewis
LadyVélo Name Necklace: Tatty Devine
50's Dress: LaFrock Boutique
Ring: Dorothy Perkins
Mary Jane Heels: Vivienne Westwood
Necklace: Tatty Devine
Vest Top: Topshop
Bracelet: Camden Market
Ring: Tatty Devine
High Waisted Floral Shorts: TopShop
Sandals: TopShop
Sunglasses: Ray Ban
Pink Breton Stripe Top: Warehouse
Brooch: Tatty Devine
Jeans: Diesel
Sandals: TopShop
Ring: Mawi
4.15.2011
3.22.2011
Giddy up!
Streaks of red light up the bike lane as ciclo-fashionistas go from here...
to here!
Riding tights and cowboy boots on into the sunset!
Stunning on and off their bikes - Lisa Marie, Kristen and Melyssa - three goddesses of SF bike lanes go out for a sunny Sunday afternoon party! Lisa Marie is wearing a form-fitted, pocketed, hooded jersey mini-dress with bicycle insignia from field day.
Photos by *Honeychild*
to here!
Riding tights and cowboy boots on into the sunset!
Stunning on and off their bikes - Lisa Marie, Kristen and Melyssa - three goddesses of SF bike lanes go out for a sunny Sunday afternoon party! Lisa Marie is wearing a form-fitted, pocketed, hooded jersey mini-dress with bicycle insignia from field day.
Photos by *Honeychild*
2.15.2011
Queen of Hearts
My pal Gabriela in Los Angeles sent this to me yesterday. Happy Belated Hearts Day! I love my cat and I love my bike!
With a toast to singlehood, Ride On!
2.06.2011
Tandem with CB!
cb is one of our regular readers and she submitted these wonderful photos of tandem bike dates with her hubby via our flickr photo pool. Take it away cb! (all words and images by cb)
recently the mister and i got our very first tandem, a gottfried french tandem to be exact. we named him gilbert. he is a beautiful grayish blue with accents of red in white...we joke about dressing up in french style clothing and riding around town.
riding a tandem is a very unique experience, really unlike any other i have come across. the tandem must act as a team...almost everything we do must be in unison. the captain, who is the person in the front controls the brakes, shifting, & steering and the stoker (that's me) is the person in the back. the stoker is the engine and sets the speed of the ride. if we don't act as a we can seriously hurt one another & the bike. we are getting the hang of it each time we ride and it becomes more fun each time!
this is our 3rd ride out on gilbert to the farmers market. gilbert is pimped out with our swift industries panniers!
recently the mister and i got our very first tandem, a gottfried french tandem to be exact. we named him gilbert. he is a beautiful grayish blue with accents of red in white...we joke about dressing up in french style clothing and riding around town.
riding a tandem is a very unique experience, really unlike any other i have come across. the tandem must act as a team...almost everything we do must be in unison. the captain, who is the person in the front controls the brakes, shifting, & steering and the stoker (that's me) is the person in the back. the stoker is the engine and sets the speed of the ride. if we don't act as a we can seriously hurt one another & the bike. we are getting the hang of it each time we ride and it becomes more fun each time!
this is our 3rd ride out on gilbert to the farmers market. gilbert is pimped out with our swift industries panniers!
1.17.2011
cb of hayward!
A submission from one of our regular readers from the East Bay! cb of Hayward, CA.
Two great looks!
She's pretty rad!
cb has offered to do a guest post on riding tandem with her husband. I am very much looking forward to her submission!
Please join our flickr photo pool and send us your stories too!
Two great looks!
She's pretty rad!
cb has offered to do a guest post on riding tandem with her husband. I am very much looking forward to her submission!
Please join our flickr photo pool and send us your stories too!
10.27.2010
Guest photo: Laurie Berliner - Orange & Black Biketober
Biketoberfest, beer, and Giants playing post-season baseball: it doesn't get better than this!
Knickers by B. Spoke Tailor
Bike by Curtis Inglis
Vest by me!
Photo by Nan Easton
10.26.2010
Guest photo: Alicia Oblander
I was wearing
Cardigan - Forever 21
Tank - Cant remember
Skirt - Thrift store in Ohio
Sneaker boots - Second hand Pumas from Buffalo Exchange
Bike - Miyata 712 road bike made in 1987. Found on orange county craigslist and in excellent condition. My beauty!
Photo and commentary by Alicia Oblander
We love getting submissions from our readers via e-mail! Ride on, Alicia!
8.05.2010
Guest Photo: James Muttera - Lady in Pink
I took this photo of a smiling woman on a Brompton folding bike wearing a pink sundress and white sandals. Taken 02 Aug 2010 on the Iron horse trail in Walnut Creek, CA.
6.22.2010
Guest Blogger: Libby McInerny Profiles Christine Louise Berry - Car-free in LA
Car-free in Los Angeles since May 2008Name: Christine Louise Berry
Occupation: Film Editor & Founding Artistic Director of Smart Gals Productions, a non-profit dedicated to building community in Los Angeles through art and literary events
Hometown: Fresno, CA
Current city/Neighborhood: Silverlake-adjacent – technically “Virgil Village” – in Los Angeles
Favorite city to ride a bike in the world: I spent a summer doing a dance workshop on a farm in Hakshu with Min Tanaka, a famous Japanese Butoh dancer. People flew in from all over the world, and the only way to get around the farmland was by walking or biking. It was definitely the most free I’ve felt on a bike – small city, very little traffic, clean air and so many fellow two-wheelers. It’s also the only time I’ve ever fallen off a bike – but there were extenuating circumstances involving a monkey.
Helmet or no helmet: Combo. I think it’s important to wear a helmet – you only get one brain. I traded up for a more “stylish” helmet, but it’s still dorky... it has ear muffs. I will confess though that on a beautiful, sunny day, when I’m not going very far, it’s really hard to put it on.
Type of Bike: Batavus Breukelen
Describe what you like best about your bike: With faster bikes, I had to think about what I wore. I nearly killed myself when a vintage sweater I had wrapped around my waist slipped off and threaded through the brakes, and boot-cut jeans would get caught in the gear wheel. It really felt dangerous. When I gave up my car, I knew I wanted a bike that would go with everything. So I chose a bike that replaces a car: it’s sturdy, visible, beautiful. The line of it is sweeping. It’s got this long stride. And the way the top bar slopes down -- it’s so f-ing elegant. It has a skirt guard and a hub-generated light that never needs batteries – everything is made to last. Ultimately, it’s just springy, really fun, and I never have to think twice about riding.
Describe your urban cycling experience: I think since childhood I have seen a bike as a way towards independence. It’s the first thing you can do when you’re a kid by yourself to get distance. I don’t like to go fast, and I don’t go too far, so by default biking keeps me local, integrated into my own neighborhood. By the nature of the way I ride I do all the things you’re supposed to do to be sustainable and have a tiny footprint: shop locally; be a part of your neighborhood; experience life in your community. When you have to walk or ride, it forces you into a different pace that I think people pay a lot of money for therapy and spa vacations, asking “How do I slow down?” Give up your car, and you automatically take in the sights, meet your neighbors. Riding my bike makes Los Angeles a small town.
Favorite time and/or place to ride: After a big street festival ends, when the roads are still closed. For example, Gay Pride in West Hollywood. One time it had just ended, and I was going somewhere on my bike. No cars could go through the blockade, but I could. It was like having a free pass -- a mix of transgressing and a playtime.
Tell us a funny story about something that happened to you on your bike: So much of it is the day in, day out because as soon as you get out of your car in LA, you have a different experience of the city. It makes me feel young all the time – and free. Once though, I was coming home on one of my Schwinns, and this kid – he couldn’t have been more than about 18 – sidles up below me on his bmx-style bike. He gives me a wassup nod, smiles and all smooth-like he says: “So, you’re ridin’ your bike.” That’s got to be the best opener I’ve ever heard -- and he escorted me home! It’s great to be hit on by someone 1/2 your age. That alone should motivate more single women to pedal out.
Describe your personal style: I’ve always had an attraction to vintage, and I’ve been around long enough to remember when vintage used to be cheap. I was wearing slips as dresses long before they started making dresses that looked like slips. I guess that vintage love affair leads me to sort of a classic style – one that my family has unfortunately often described as the “homeless look.” I get a lot of mixed messages. Since giving up my car, I’m always on the lookout for the perfect pair of not-scary, non-orthopedic-looking shoes that can be worn all day. My first choice is always just to find cool things designed by locals at one of my neighborhood shops.
Favorite bike advocacy groups: I’m a member of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition and a sometime-volunteer. In fact, I first discovered the Batavus Breukelen volunteering as a bike valet -- it was love at first site. I also recently joined the Adventure Cycling Association after a disastrous bike trip using nefarious Google bike directions. I try to do my part writing about car-free culture on a little blog that no one reads called SoCal Soft Pedal – the message is, well, soft, not a hard sell.
Vélo Vogue tip of the day: Moisturize your face before you go out on your bike, to keep the pollution out. Also, invest in racks, so you don’t have to carry stuff on your back. That hunched look ruins the elegant cycling line, and it’s bad for your spine.
6.07.2010
Guest Blogger: Stan Engelbrecht of Bicycle Portraits
Last week Sunday I was on my way to Simonstown by bicycle - for a meeting and also to shoot a bit for the Bicycle Portraits project. I had just finished shooting a guy on a beautiful old racer I met along the way and we were just saying goodbye when John flew by on his BMX - in a suit! I threw my camera in my bag and jumped on my bike, waved a quick goodbye to Peter I just photographed and set off after this suited gentleman. But I had gotten a flat and my rear wheel had completely deflated while I was chatting to Peter! But I kept chasing - I had to meet this guy! I got him to stop reluctantly - he was on his way to church and he was running late! In the few minutes we had I took his portrait and he told me that he bought his bicycle only a few weeks earlier because of the train strikes we've been experiencing over the last weeks. His bicycle has helped him tremendously, and even if the trains start running again he won't be riding them any more. He's got his bike now, and he looks damn fine on it...
In South Africa we have no proper public transport infrastructure, and that which does exist is expensive and unsafe. We are also plagued with constant train and bus transport strikes, during which minibus taxi's often take advantage of their customers by charging them up to 3 times as much as usual. This is sad and frustrating, and puts a lot of strain on our fragile economy. Given all the benefits of commuting by bicycling - independence, fitness, cost-effectiveness, environmentally friendly - we would love to encourage the use of bicycles in South Africa amongst all social classes.
Bicycle Portraits will be a photographic book exploring contemporary South African bicycle commuter culture. Please visit http://kck.st/c09uOF and support us by pledging for a reward on our Kickstarter fundraising initiative page. For a pledge of $50 you are essentially pre-ordering a copy of the book. Please have a look! Only 10 days to go!
5.20.2010
Guest Blogger: Stan Engelbrecht of Bicycle Portraits
Morné Hendricks by Stan EngelbrechtAnd in the spirit of bicycle portraits, Nic and Stan from South Africa contacted me a few weeks ago, and I became eager to share their project with our VV readers. Here's the first in a series of guest blog posts from the creators of Bicycle Portraits.
The first time I saw Morné Hendricks he was buzzing past me on his Western Flyer Jean Machine down Church street, the main road of a small South African Karoo town to called Prince Albert. He had a small paper bag in his hand and a big grin on his face. I had to spin around and give chase. Turns out the small brown bag contained a tub of Aqueous Cream ('for my body') he just got at the pharmacy.
Morné loves his mom, chess and the freedom his Western Flyer gives him, and he wants to become a mechanical engineer when he finishes school. His only worry is that he might not be able to take his bike with when he leaves for university because he has to take the train.
People like Morné are the future of South African commuter culture. They love their bicycles and what it means to them. They understand, perhaps subconsciously, how empowering owning and riding a bicycle can be. People like Morné is exactly what the Bicycle Portraits project is all about.
Bicycle Portraits will be a photographic book exploring contemporary South African bicycle commuter culture. Please visit http://kck.st/c09uOF and support us by pledging for a reward on our Kickstarter fundraising initiative page. For a pledge of $50 you are essentially pre-ordering a copy of the book. Please have a look! It's easy!
5.15.2010
Guest Photo: Eva/Evoluer & Cycle Chic Sundays
Eva, founder of the totally cool blog Evoluer and one of our readers, told me about how she and a group of stylish SoCal ladies have put together a group ride called Cycle Chic Sundays. Here are some pics from the event:
Yowza! A group like that is bound to stop traffic!
Here's what Eva had to say about the ride:
Sunday April 25th marked the first official Cycle Chic Sundays ride. We went on a casual 8 mile loop through Costa Mesa & Santa Ana. We took a lunch break at The CAMP where there were several Earth Day festivities happening. Everyone had a really good time and we are looking forward to continuing Cycle Chic Sundays every weekend!
Looks like you ladies had lots of fun, some great weather and lotsa style! Ride on!
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